Citroen Oli electrical ‘ute’ idea unveiled

The Citroen Oli idea mixes a contemporary EV drivetrain with a light-weight, minimalist and refreshingly screen-free inside.

Pronounced “all-e” — geddit? — the Oli showcases the corporate’s “vertical design language”, which marks fairly a departure from in the present day’s chunky, however rounded types.

Time will inform if the Oli’s close to vertical windscreen, entrance bumper, and huge array of fascinating shapes will seem in future manufacturing fashions, or if these components shall be toned down.

Though it seems like a tiny crossover coupe, the Oli is in reality a ute, of types. Somewhat than a conventional hatch, there’s a fold-down tailgate and a glass panel that slides upwards in direction of the roof.

Cargo house can expanded by folding down the rear seats, with the rear headrests flipping upwards to reside within the ceiling.

Whereas it seems nothing just like the Ami or 2CV, the pragmatic design of those two automobiles are cited as inspirations for the Oli.

Citroen CEO Vincent Cobée says the Oli embodies a need to withstand the tide in direction of ever bigger, ever heavier autos which are parked many of the day and primarily used to move simply the motive force.

“We have to reverse the developments by making [cars] lighter and cheaper and discover ingenious methods to maximise utilization,” Cobée states.

Citroen has tried to make its decontenting mission enjoyable with Oli that includes a smartphone dock as a substitute of the same old infotainment touchscreen, a pair of detachable Bluetooth audio system mounted at each ends of the dashboard, a roof constructed from recycled cardboard, and light-weight seats with a mesh backrest.

There’s no carpet within the cabin, however quite a single piece simply cleaned and replaceable Thermoplastic Polyurethane foam.

Different weight discount options embrace flip-up door home windows, and new 20-inch “hybrid” metal and aluminium wheels which are lighter than cheaper steelies however much less vitality intensive to provide than conventional alloy wheels.

The Oli is fitted with a smallish 40kWh battery, which is alleged to present the automotive a 400km driving vary. A part of this comes all the way down to the automotive’s low mass, however Citroen has additionally restricted the Oli’s high pace to 110km/h in an effort to enhance vary.

Whereas the automaker hasn’t offered specifics concerning the automotive’s electrical setup, it says when the Oli is linked to an applicable quick charger the battery could be replenished from 20 to 80 per cent in simply 23 minutes.

The automotive additionally has vehicle-to-grid expertise, so it may promote saved vitality again into {the electrical} grid. Constructed-in electrical sockets enable Oli to energy electrical units at a camp website or seaside.

Once more, just like the styling, it is going to be fascinating to see what number of of those minimalist, weight discount, and sustainability concepts will stream via to future showroom-ready Citroens.

In accordance with Pierre Leclercq, Citroen’s design chief, “There’s no sense in proposing cool supplies or designs that can by no means affect future manufacturing autos”.

Measuring 4.2m lengthy, 1.65m tall, and 1.9m extensive, the Oli has a squat stance, and may seat as much as 4 individuals. To make ingress and egress simpler, the idea has no B-pillar and the small rear doorways are reverse-hinged.

The Oli is the primary automobile to put on the corporate’s redesigned brand. Unveiled earlier this week, the brand new badge is a throwback to the corporate’s first, and on the Oli it’s completed a hanging shade of purple — or Infra-Purple in Citroen-speak.